Mike Vrabel | Linebacker

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Texans hired Mike Vrabel as linebackers coach.

We don't typically post position-coach hires, but this one piqued our interest with Vrabel being a recent former player. Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots when new Texans coach Bill O'Brien was on the staff in New England. Vrabel recently coached LBs at his alma mater, Ohio State. Fri, Jan 10, 2014 09:18:00 AM

Free agent Mike Vrabel has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons.

As has been rumored for nearly a week, he will become the linebackers coach at his alma mater Ohio State. In a statement, Vrabel thanked all his former teams, but said he is "especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli" for teaching him "invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach." He retires with 763 tackles, 57 sacks and three Super Bowl titles to his name. Mon, Jul 11, 2011 08:52:00 AM

Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City reports that free agent Mike Vrabel will retire to accept an assistant coaching job at Ohio State.

The radio station has the report on both its Twitter account and website, and there have been enough signs pointing to Vrabel calling it quits that we're buying it. He'd recently made it clear that he'd love to coach. Turning 36 in a month, Vrabel only made one Pro Bowl (2007) but was a three-time Super Bowl champ with New England. The Akron native and Ohio State alum will finish his NFL career with 57 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 10 receiving touchdowns. Vrabel caught two more TD passes in playoff games when lined up at tight end. Sat, Jul 9, 2011 12:53:00 AM

CollegeFootballTalk.com reports there is a "very good chance" free agent Mike Vrabel will accept a defensive assistant coaching role with Ohio State this summer.

The Buckeye rumors have been surrounding Vrabel for awhile, so this is hardly a surprise. Vrabel is tight with new head coach Luke Fickell, who was his roommate at Ohio State in the mid-90s. One source says the announcement could come as soon as Monday. The 14-year veteran had been a leading voice for the NFLPA in labor discussions this offseason. Thu, Jul 7, 2011 07:12:00 PM

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Free agent Mike Vrabel has officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons.

As has been rumored for nearly a week, he will become the linebackers coach at his alma mater Ohio State. In a statement, Vrabel thanked all his former teams, but said he is "especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli" for teaching him "invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach." He retires with 763 tackles, 57 sacks and three Super Bowl titles to his name.

Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City reports that free agent Mike Vrabel will retire to accept an assistant coaching job at Ohio State.

The radio station has the report on both its Twitter account and website, and there have been enough signs pointing to Vrabel calling it quits that we're buying it. He'd recently made it clear that he'd love to coach. Turning 36 in a month, Vrabel only made one Pro Bowl (2007) but was a three-time Super Bowl champ with New England. The Akron native and Ohio State alum will finish his NFL career with 57 sacks, 11 interceptions, and 10 receiving touchdowns. Vrabel caught two more TD passes in playoff games when lined up at tight end.

CollegeFootballTalk.com reports there is a "very good chance" free agent Mike Vrabel will accept a defensive assistant coaching role with Ohio State this summer.

The Buckeye rumors have been surrounding Vrabel for awhile, so this is hardly a surprise. Vrabel is tight with new head coach Luke Fickell, who was his roommate at Ohio State in the mid-90s. One source says the announcement could come as soon as Monday. The 14-year veteran had been a leading voice for the NFLPA in labor discussions this offseason.

Free agent Mike Vrabel indicated that he would rather continue playing football than begin his coaching career at this time.

Recent reports and speculation suggested Vrabel might want to coach at Ohio State, where there is a linebackers coach vacancy. "My contract is up with the Chiefs," Vrabel said, "So I’ll be looking for a job as soon as this lockout ends." Vrabel did confirm that coaching football in the future "is certainly something I’d be interested in under the right situation."

There have been unconfirmed rumors that Vrabel will accept an assistant coach job at his alma mater, Ohio State, although he's involved in the player-owner negotiations. Vrabel is also not under contract for 2011. Regardless, most signs point to the Chiefs moving on from the 36-year-old linebacker.

Prior to his early-April arrest, free agent Mike Vrabel told the Kansas City Star that he hopes to continue his football career.

"I would certainly hope so. I really do," he said. "But I also have to find out realistically if anybody is interested." And that's a legitimate question. Vrabel turns 36 this fall, is coming off an arrest, and didn't manage a single sack in 16 starts last season. He might have one year left.

Free agent OLB Mike Vrabel was arrested for felony theft at an Indiana casino early Monday.

The "theft" is related to either the number of beers on a bar tab, or "taking bottles of alcohol from a deli" on casino grounds, according to various reports. Vrabel is in danger of a Class D felony just two days before he's scheduled to appear for Wednesday's antitrust lawsuit against the owners. Vrabel was booked at 5:28AM and released at 10:39AM after posting $600 bail. Vrabel, 35, spent last season with the Chiefs. He had no sacks in 16 starts.

Chiefs OLB Mike Vrabel did show for the start of Kansas City Organized Team Activities on Monday.

Unsigned restricted free agent Jarrad Page was the only Chief not on the practice field, so the team looks to be buying into coach Todd Haley's spring focus. Vrabel is battling Andy Studebaker and Cam Sheffield for snaps.

Vrabel didn't show up early after his trade from New England last year, either. "I’m in good shape and ready to go like I always am," insisted the 35-year-old. "Not being there to work out has never set me back." The issue is that coach Todd Haley is a stickler for the offseason program. Vrabel shouldn't be assured of a starting job coming off a two-sack season.

The Chiefs' one-year deal with OLB Mike Vrabel includes a $1.425 million roster bonus.

The date the bonus is due is unknown. Vrabel should safely make the club if it's a per-game roster bonus, but if it's a lump sum payment in August or July he may not be guaranteed to be among Kansas City's final 53. Vrabel's total deal is for $3.025 million. His salary will be $1.6 million.

The Chiefs' new contract with OLB Mike Vrabel, announced by the team as an "extension," is for just one year.

It's probably for between $1-2 million with a minimum base salary and some incentives. Vrabel, turning 35 before the season, had just two sacks last year. He won't be guaranteed a roster spot, let alone a starting position.

The terms and length were not announced. The 34-year-old is in obvious decline, so he stands to lose snaps to Andy Studebaker this season. Expected to pursue a coaching career at Ohio State when he's done playing, Vrabel is now at the year-to-year stage of his career.

Free agent Mike Vrabel "feels he has a number of productive seasons left," according to his agent.

There was speculation that the 34-year-old could opt for retirement, as he's made it known that he wants to transition into coaching at alma mater Ohio State when he's done playing. Vrabel is not ruling out a return to Kansas City or New England in 2010.

Impending free agent OLB Mike Vrabel, surprisingly, said Tuesday that he'd like to return to the Chiefs in 2010.

Vrabel finished his worst season in nine years with two sacks for the 4-12 team. "There’s a desire by both parties to get something done," he said. "I’d love to come back here and be a part of getting this thing turned around."